Sri Lanka & Maldives Guidebook

We've put together a guidebook with everything you need to know about Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Written by our specialists, it details destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send you a link by email which will allow you to download your own copy.

Kandy

The cultural capital of Sri Lanka is Kandy. A land of temples and stunning natural delights, Kandy holds the famous ‘Temple of Tooth’ the country’s most sacred shrine, where a tooth of Buddha is kept. The town’s perfect climate, scenic location and its rich history make it a favourite for visitors and it is the natural gateway to the peaks of Sri Lanka’s hill country.

To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8916

The hill-country capital is located on a plain amongst towering hills and is surrounded by Sri Lanka’s largest river: the Mahaweli. During the month of August, Kandy comes alive with the sounds and lights of the Kandy Perehara – an amazing procession where the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is ceremoniously paraded on elephant back along the streets.

Kandy has some stunning scenery with a picturesque lake that’s set amidst a bowl of hills. Visit its nearby bustling town to buy local arts, crafts and food, and immerse yourself in the towns colours, smells and diversity.


To start planning your tailor-made holiday, call us on (646) 934-8916

Meet our specialists

Kegalle (near Kandy), Sri Lanka

Built in 1926, The Estate House is an old colonial planter’s bungalow set in a 62 acre private working tea and rubber estate, The Estate House at Rosyth, offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of rural Sri Lanka.

Rosyth Estate

Kandy, Sri Lanka

This unique manor house, once the ancestral home of a local aristocratic family, sits among six lush acres. Nowadays, Kandy House is an award-winning and very comfortable rural retreat ideal for exploring nearby Kandy and its surroundings.

The Kandy House

Gampola, Kandy

Set high in the hills of an organic tea and spice plantation, beautiful Ellerton is a colonial bungalow and wonderfully inviting retreat for soaking up the charms of the Hill Country or exploring the fascinating cultural heritage of Kandy.

Ellerton Bungalow

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Theva Residency is a unique and stylish boutique hotel offering luxurious accommodation, sumptuous fusion cuisine, and personal service, built into the mountains overlooking Kandy and ideally situated for experiencing the town’s ancient cultural heritage.

The Theva Residency

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Ashburnham is a stately 1930s planters' bungalow that has been lovingly restored into a welcoming retreat. Set amidst an expansive spice and tea estate flanked by the Knuckles Mountain Range, guests can embrace the outdoors or simply laze by the pool.

Ashburnham Estate

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Set in a picturesque valley surrounded by the Knuckle Mountains and Victoria Lake, Bougainvillea Retreat provides the perfect tranquil getaway.

Bougainvillea Retreat

Kandy, Sri Lanka

High up on a tea plantation, at the edge of Northern Kandy, is the beautiful Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge. It is the perfect retreat from which to explore the Knuckles mountain range, or to while the day away relaxing amidst spectacular views.

Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Sitting on the edge of The Knuckles Range, Rangala is a beautiful, comfortable and characterful tea planter's bungalow perched on a steep jungle hillside just north of Kandy. It provides breath taking panoramic views and the perfect respite.

Rangala House

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Santani is Sri Lanka's first dedicated spa and wellness retreat. Located in the heart of the Sri Lankan hill country, guests at Santani can indulge in personalised cuisine and embrace a variety of wellness packages to leave them feeling truly revitalised.

Santani

Kandy, Sri Lanka

A stylish boutique villa set on a hillock in Nittawala, Stone House enjoys a tranquil setting amongst scenic mountain views, just a short ride away from the excitement and culture of Kandy.

Stone House

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Taylor's Hill is a stylish boutique property, gracefully positioned in the setting of an active tea estate in Kandy. Guests at Taylor's Hill can enjoy a comfortable stay in picturesque surroundings, alongside warm and welcoming Sri Lankan hospitality.

Taylor's Hill

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Villa Rosa is a charming and truly unique boutique hotel on the edge of Kandy that's surrounded by lushly forested hills and The Mahaweli River. It's perfect for families or couples wanting a peaceful retreat away from the city.

Villa Rosa

Kandy, Sri Lanka

Elephant Stables is a beautiful, colonial period bungalow perched on a hill overlooking Kandy. It was the home of Adigar Sir Cuda Ratwatte (1880-1950), a Ceylonese nobleman, and the first person from Kandy to be awarded a knighthood from the British.

Elephant Stables

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Kegalla, Sri Lanka

During your stay at Rosyth, we highly recommend that you try your hand in the kitchen at their cooking class, whipping up some delicious dishes using local produce.

Rosyth Estate - Cooking Class

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

A Stafford Bungalow resident tea expert will increase your tea tasting skills with a unique tea tasting experience. Slurp, roll, twist and split – this is a wonderful, unique and educational experience in the heart of the tea growing region.

Stafford Bungalow - the art of tea tasting

Tea Country, Sri Lanka

This experience begins at 1am, heading out to one of the most stunning mountains in Asia for a summit sunrise. The 5,200 steps offer plenty of rest opportunities as your rise above the clouds.

Escorted Climb of Adam's Peak

Tea Country, Sri Lanka

Situated above 2,000 meters above sea level, Horton Plains covers rivers, waterfalls, unique fauna, and numerous landscapes. This 9km trek takes around 3 hours, with highlights such as the famous Baker Falls and ocean views from World’s End escarpment.

Trekking in Horton Plains Nature Reserve

Minniriya National Park, Sri Lanka

This afternoon experience takes you to Minneriya National Park, home to an enormous population of elephants. Enjoy a game drive with an experienced naturalist.

Minneriya National Park

Hatton, Sri Lanka

Guests staying in the bungalows can enjoy this experience free of charge. The resident tea planter will show you how to make tea, starting in the fields picking the plants.

Tea Trails - Tea Trails Tea Experience

Ella, Sri Lanka

Visit this rock temple, which is one of Sri Lanka’s many important heritage sites and houses an enormous 38 ft. granite Buddha.

Visit Dowa Temple from Ella

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

Explore the immaculately preserved remnants of Buddhism’s second city. Polonnaruwa is grouped in clumps between enticing forests so that you can walk and cycle your way around giant Buddhas and impressive temples that are over 1,000 years old.

Explore Polonnaruwa

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 'fortress in the sky' is one of Sri Lanka's most iconic landmarks. This 370-meter-high monument has 1,202 steps, a 5th century palace and 2 giant stone lion paws, as well as spectacular views.

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Tea Country, Sri Lanka

Make your way down from Adam’s Peak in the morning at a leisurely pace. The descent is much quicker although not necessarily easier as you may be tired from walking through the night.

Adam's Peak Descent

Ella, Sri Lanka

Explore Ella with your chauffeur guide. Ella is blessed with some of Sri Lanka’s most spectacular views. On this tour you will visit Ella Gap, Ravana Ella Falls, Little Adam’s Peak, Ravana Cave and Bambaragala Park.

Ella City Tour

Kandy, Sri Lanka

This is a must for trekking enthusiasts, who will love the striking landscapes and ever-changing fauna on this 4-5 hour trek from Illukkumbura to Riverston. Expect sweeping panoramas and waterfalls in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Trekking in the Knuckles Range

Kegalle, Sri Lanka

Visit rescued and orphaned elephants at the Millennium Elephant Foundation (MEF), established in August 1999 as a sanctuary of care, protection and medical services for elephants in Sri Lanka.

Millennium Elephant Foundation

Ella, Sri Lanka

Located just outside Ella, Little Adam’s Peak offers a short 30-minute climb to the 1,140-meter peak. Named after the more famous and arduous Adam’s Peak due to its close resemblance, this climb is on a small scale so a little easier.

Little Adams Peak and Ravana Ella Falls

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Established in 1861 for Cinchona cultivation in Sri Lanka, the botanical gardens at Hakgala sit at about 1,745 meters and are some of the finest on the island. Covering 28 hectares, the experimental gardens are well worth a visit.

Visit Hakgala Botanical Gardens

Ella, Sri Lanka

A great experience for the adventurous, this 8km trek is a challenging climb that rewards with the most spectacular views across the hill country and plains below. The glorious scenery makes this 4-hour round trek well worth the effort.

Trek to Ella Rock

Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

This morning walk with a resident tea expert will help you to understand the trail of the planters of old Ceylon, as you trek through the luscious tea gardens and slopes. Enjoy the refreshing walk and striking landscapes.

Stafford Bungalow - Tea plantation visit

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Introducing Sri Lanka and the Maldives